Pilot Study on Weight Loss With Robotic Assistance

At the start of the five-week study, all participants will be enrolled in a Web-based
behavioral weight loss program. The weight loss program places particular emphasis on hunger
reduction and craving control for both weight loss and prevention of weight regain. The
program will consist of six videoconference sessions delivered by a qualified coach. Menus
and other program materials will be available to the participants throughout the study
period.

Participants also will be assigned to attend one-on-one "robotic assistance sessions" either
early or late in the five-week study. During each robotic assistance session, the participant
will speak with the robot about his/her progress with the weight loss program. The robot is
programmed to respond to specific issues raised by the participant, but a human operator with
thorough knowledge of the weight loss program will be available in case the conversation goes
"off script." This human operator can initiate robot behaviors and prompt verbal responses
through a text-to-speech interface.

Data from this study will be used to refine the robot for future use and determine whether
robotic help can improve a participant's experience in a previously tested weight loss
program.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Men and women who are overweight or obese (body mass index of 25-40 kg/m2)

- Want to lose weight and enroll in the study, and are willing to sign the informed
consent form

- Able to meet the study requirements for food habits and able to attend online
videoconference sessions

- Willing and able to attend in-person robotic assistance sessions, and are not planning
to be out of town for more than five days during the study

Exclusion Criteria:

- Self-reported serious food allergies/intolerances, dietary patterns, or active health
conditions (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, celiac disease) that
would prevent consumption of recommended foods.

- Concurrent participation in another weight loss program or >2 hours/day of exercise on
average.

- Actively dieting or self-reported weight loss of >10 lb in the past 3 months

- Vulnerable populations, including women who are pregnant and adults who are unable to
consent

- Women who are lactating or planning to become pregnant within two months of the start
date, per self-report

- Diagnosis of a serious mental health condition

- Non-English speaking individuals

- Medical complications or chronic illness that would prevent full participation (e.g.,
active cancer)

- Surgical procedures that influence hunger or satiety (e.g., gastric bypass, bowel
rerouting, stomach sleeve)

- Primary training as a Clinical Nutritionist or practicing Registered Dietitian

- Diagnosed eating disorder